Queensland Flood crisis

[ozguy]

Just wondering if news about the terrible floods in southern Queensland is reaching other parts of the world. So far 8 people have been confirmed dead after a flash flood described as an 'inland tsunami' tore through the centre of the town of Toowomba. Many other towns in south eastern Queensland have been devastated by the floods and news is that even outer suburbs of Brisbane have now been placed on flood alert.

If you want to know more, do a google search on Queensland floods.

 

[ashonfire]

I saw it on the French news this morning.

Anyone know the best way to help out? Clothes? Cash?

I was planning a trip to Brissie in early Feb, might hold-off on that one.

 

[Harke the Boeotarch]

Yes.

It first came to my attention when a JUB member started a thread on the subject in CE & P some time ago.

In the Netherlands people I spoke to about it were shocked by the magnitude of the flood, but at the same time some of our attention is directed towards our own imminent flooding in the south of the country.

 

[ashonfire]

Holy shit. Check this out.

 

[ashonfire]

Death toll is now 13, I believe. Terrifying.

 

[Telstra]

amateur footage and comments:

http://au.news.yahoo.com/qld-floods/a/-/article/8624762/eight-killed-in-queensland-flash-floods/

 

[TheFireGod]

Of course I'm keeping up with it, I grew up in Queensland.

I thought it was 14 at least according to the online radio I listen to, but that was just yesterday.

 

[braex27]

It's scary. So much of the State is affected and it's a very very large State as well. Recent reports are that eight people have died, and 72 are missing. The Brisbane River has breached its banks, and even the city centre is now being evacuated. Hundreds of streets in and around the city are being closed. The State is bracing itself for further damage.

Some news reports for you.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/01/11/3110450.htm

If anyone would like to assist the victims of the floods, please see this website.

http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/

So far, some $32 million has been raised, but the damage is continuing so every little helps.

 

[roadtripboy]

I have seen reports from the ABC & NBC networks here in the US. Since they all tend to copy each other, I feel sure our other networks are covering it too.

Frightening.

 

[skips]

I've seen footage on the news channels and read about it online as well. Terrible. Just terrible.

 

[Lostlover]

I might make a donation. The videos I saw today showed a third world country. Australia is in my thoughts. The government has let the people down. All they can afford is a pathetic $1 million for the victims?

 

[ozguy]

.... So far 8 people have been confirmed dead after a flash flood described as an 'inland tsunami' tore through the centre of the town of Toowoomba.

Some amateur footage posted on youtube ....

 

[Telstra]

I might make a donation. The videos I saw today showed a third world country. Australia is in my thoughts. The government has let the people down. All they can afford is a pathetic $1 million for the victims?

what are you talking about.
"i might" means zero .....

 

[Lostlover]

what are you talking about.
"i might" means zero .....

I'm not going to say what I'm going to do because it would seem like I want to pat myself on the back for doing something good.

You and your country are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[Callum]

Oh Lord...are there systems in place to prevent flooding and the volume alone has destroyed said systems? I can't imagine living in Queensland at the moment.

 

[Geeman 86]

Hi, new guy here, I have been reading JUB for a couple of weeks now, but as an Aussie, I felt I should add my thoughts, and knowledge.

Queensland has got a lot of measures in place to combat flooding, as it is pretty much a yearly occurrence, however the heavy rain over the last few months has meant that these systems have already been pushed to the limit, and in some places beyond the limit, before this massive "one in one hundred year storm" has hit. Meaning that the water has had nowhere else to go. This will continue over the the next few months (though most likely in other towns, and cities) as above average rainfall is predicted for the next 3 months.

Some of these dams that have been built to combat flooding, have never been full before, and just 2 years ago due to drought were bone dry. Now they are well above official capacity, some as high as 154%. Then when you get 250ml of rain in 24 hrs (that's 10 inches to you Americans ) the inevitable will happen.

Also to address some JUBer's relief fund concerns, both the Queensland State Government, and the Australian Commonwealth Government have pledged to supply as many funds are required as a priority. This however will not stop generous people acting kindly, and we all thank you for that. Australia is not a third world country, and I highly doubt the UN will be necessary as has been suggested elsewhere.

Geeman 86.

P.S. I am not directly affected by the floods, as I live about 2000km away, but as an Australian, I do feel the pain from a far.

 

[Geeman 86]

I have just heard on channel 10 news, 75% of the state of Queensland has been declared a national disaster zone. To put that into context, that is an area about twice the size of Texas.

 

[Telstra]

Hi, new guy here, I have been reading JUB for a couple of weeks now, but as an Aussie, I felt I should add my thoughts, and knowledge.

Queensland has got a lot of measures in place to combat flooding, as it is pretty much a yearly occurrence, however the heavy rain over the last few months has meant that these systems have already been pushed to the limit, and in some places beyond the limit, before this massive "one in one hundred year storm" has hit. Meaning that the water has had nowhere else to go. This will continue over the the next few months (though most likely in other towns, and cities) as above average rainfall is predicted for the next 3 months.

Some of these dams that have been built to combat flooding, have never been full before, and just 2 years ago due to drought were bone dry. Now they are well above official capacity, some as high as 154%. Then when you get 250ml of rain in 24 hrs (that's 10 inches to you Americans ) the inevitable will happen.

Also to address some JUBer's relief fund concerns, both the Queensland State Government, and the Australian Commonwealth Government have pledged to supply as many funds are required as a priority. This however will not stop generous people acting kindly, and we all thank you for that. Australia is not a third world country, and I highly doubt the UN will be necessary as has been suggested elsewhere.

Geeman 86.

P.S. I am not directly affected by the floods, as I live about 2000km away, but as an Australian, I do feel the pain from a far.

10 inches ? thats bigger than most people got.
anyway my sister is effected in Brisbane city

 

[Kester]

I'm watching the reports on the news now, just heard that a 4 year old boy was swept away....



Breaks my heart.

 

[AussieChub]

Some amateur footage posted on youtube ....

All these videos are from Toowoomba, a city on top of a mountain 700m above sea level. I have lived in South East Queensland all my life and have never seen such devastation. The bitter irony is that just 2 years ago we had drastic water restrictions and our combined water storage was less than 20% and were in the grip of the worst ever drought to ever hit the region.
Wivenhoe dam, the regions main dam, and main piece of flood mitigation infrastructure has a capacity of more than 2 times that of Sydney Harbour. This dam is currently at approx. 200% of what it is designed to hold and more water continues to flow into it.
At the moment where I live is now an island surrounded by creeks and rivers which have burst their banks.
Lostlover, and all other people who have donated, it is very much appreciated.
Australia is not a third world country and our government is not cash strapped. We are actually possibly the best equipped and skilled nation south of the equator (Sorry to all the Kiwis out there ), what we need most is prayers and money for the uninsured families and businesses to get back on their feet.